For the love of mud, throw out your Morton’s!!! (Or at least put it under the sink for future use scrubbing tea stains out of porcelain.)

I could spend days expounding on the pros and cons of Himalayan pink salt, sea salt, and [cringe] table salt, but instead I’ll attempt to limit my usual verbosity and give you the highlights, plus some resources for further reading that go into greater depth.

Back in the day, 300 plus million years ago or so, the primordial ocean contained the only living organism on Earth – a halophilic pink algae that created the first oxygen on the planet, providing an atmosphere in which the first multi-celled organisms could be born. Over millions of years, the pristine pre-Cambrian ocean slowly evaporated, exposing the rising sea floor that would eventually become the Himalayan Mountains. Great fields of brine deposits sat under the stars for millions of years, absorbing cosmic energy until they were finally subducted under the Asia plate. Deep in the Earth, where the tectonic pressure was just right, the salt deposits spent a few more million years and crystallized into lenticular crystal beds. As with all crystals, such as diamonds, the more geometrically perfect the shape is, the higher the information content, and the more valuable the crystal. The importance of a superior crystalline structure for our bodies is that the energy released from dissolving these crystals can be transferred to your cells and tissues, and the trace elements within them can be easily absorbed and metabolized.

You may be wondering: Why does this mean I should trash my table salt? Cogitate on, dear reader…

Since life was formed in the ancient primordial ocean, our bodies reflect that chemical makeup. We unequivocally need salt, and our blood and tears contain the same percentage of salt as the ocean – which is certainly no coincidence. Salt was in use long before the earliest history was recorded, and has been valued in economic, political, religious, and social spheres of culture all over the world and for thousands of years. And yet, today we seem to fear it – medical sodium stigmas urging us to shun the use of the very building blocks that brought us into existence.

Tsk, tsk.

While it is true that too much sodium is difficult for our bodies to process, this isn’t entirely the fault of salt. 90% of the world’s salt today is being used for industrial purposes that require sodium chloride, and so it is chemically “cleaned”. Through the use of ingenious marketing, we’ve been convinced of the advantages of then adding back in potentially toxic iodine and fluoride – often along with several other dangerous preservatives (calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, and aluminum hydroxide are often added to improve the ability of table salt to pour). Our bodies no longer recognize this manufactured “salt”, and actually see it as an aggressive cellular poison. This unnatural form is added into every preserved and processed food you eat, and in order for your body to try and metabolize table salt crystals, tremendous amounts of energy are sacrificed. Additionally, inorganic sodium chloride can prevent the body from reaching an ideal balance of fluids and can overburden your elimination systems. For every gram of sodium chloride your body can’t get rid of, 23 times the amount of cell water is needed to neutralize it, causing cellulite, arthritis, rheumatism, gout, kidney and gall stones, asthma, cancer, heart disease… the list goes on.

Many people believe sea salt is a healthier alternative to table salt, which is correct – in theory. However, today our seas are polluted and used as dumping grounds for toxins such as mercury, PCBs, and dioxin, not to mention the growing frequency of oil spills. Many sea salt producers use concrete basins for the seawater to evaporate, allowing chemicals from the concrete to leach into the salt, and then continue to refine it – rendering it nutritionally void.

The underlying point of this post is to recommend that we all go back to the basic building blocks of life – luckily those can be found in Himalayan pink salt. This salt, imbued with the 84 elements found in our bodies and containing the energetic vibrations present when life on this planet was formed, can not only cleanse and restore balance to our systems, but benefit us physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. By creating and regularly ingesting sole (pronounced so-lay), replacing our cooking and flavoring salt, using salt lamps, and even bathing in it we can quickly undo the damage of processed table salt and numerous other toxins we’re exposed to on a daily basis. A few of the myriad benefits are:

Supplying the body with the natural energy stored in the crystals, which the body can hold for up to 24 hours.

Balancing the alkaline/acidity in the body and normalizing blood pressure.

Dissolving and eliminating sediments which lead to stones and various forms of rheumatism and arthritis.

Taking a half an hour bath with Himalayan pink salts (at the right concentration: approximately 1%, which is the same as our bodily fluids) can achieve an osmotic exchange, initiating homeostasis. It’s basically like being in the womb again, and has the same effect on the body as a three day detox!!

There are many other benefits on several different levels that can be achieved by incorporating Himalayan pink salt into your lifestyle. For further information, check out these resources:

In an age where doctors prescribe pills for every symptom and urge vaccines instead of healthy living, I can’t help but feel that the general population is being suckered into a false haven of medical bliss – especially since Time magazine reported last year that almost half of the doctors in their study prescribed placebos anyway (unbeknown to their patients)! Additionally, it is becoming increasingly common for overdoses or a lethal combination of drugs to be prescribed accidentally as a result of inadequate communication among a patient’s caregivers. This is tragic and unnecessary. While I’m not advocating forgoing all medical treatments on principle, it’s painfully obvious that Western medicine addresses symptoms instead of sources, and places little value on prevention. As a result, I generally promote a proactive approach to health incorporating a few simple remedies that have been recognized for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. If the choice is between consuming the latest synthetic chemical craze on the market, or using a few ingredients already in my kitchen – it’s no contest.

Pablo Neruda lauded the lemon as “the diminutive fire of the planet“, and the Ayurveda similarly notes the fruit’s value as a “promoter of gastric fire”, along with many other beneficial qualities. The Romans used lemons as a cure for all types of poison, and the palace of the Sultan of Egypt and Syria prized it for its medicinal virtues during the late 12th century. British sailing ships carried lemon juice six hundred years later to prevent scurvy, although the sailors became known as “limeys”. The oblong fruit is readily available worldwide, and – despite being used today mainly as a flavoring agent – still contains a myriad of daily applications from a deodorizer to a healing wonder.

Ann Heustad, R.N. wrote an informative article explaining the science behind the extraordinary number of ailments lemon can assuage (did you know it is one of the only foods on the planet that has more anions than cations in its atomic structure? (That means it’s negatively charged, like saliva and bile**.)) Pulling from that article, the American Urological Association, the Annals of Rheumatic Diseases, and other holistic sources, I’ve compiled a few health benefits and fun facts related to this orbicular wonder.

How to choose a lemon: The thin-skinned specimens are preferable, because those with thicker peels will have less flesh and juice inside. Choose lemons that are heavy for their size and feature peels that have a finely grained texture. They should be fully yellow, and void of wrinkling, soft, or hard patches. Fresh lemons are available year round and will stay fresh at room temperature (away from sunlight) for about one week.

How to consume a lemon: There are a variety of ways to reap the benefits of lemons. Lemon oil extracted from cold-pressed lemon rinds is effective for cleaning, deodorizing, disinfecting, applying to the skin, etc. Fresh lemon juice (not pasteurized) can be imbibed directly, although it is usually best to dilute it in water to protect tooth enamel. (Pure lemon juice contains acid, and is acidic to the taste, but leaves off alkaline residues in the body – making it a useful remedy for all symptoms of acidosis.) In general, if you are in good health and weigh less than 150 pounds, squeeze the juice of half a lemon (approximately one ounce) into a glass of water and drink this mix twice a day (one whole lemon per day). If you are over 150 pounds, squeeze the juice out of an entire lemon into a glass of water and drink twice a day (two whole lemons per day). This mix can be diluted to taste, or sweetened with honey, agave, or cinnamon, or taken in conjunction with ginger, aloe vera gel, or olive oil for specific ailments. The temperature of the water should be hot to detox (as a diuretic or immune booster), cold to stop excessive bleeding, or lukewarm for general consumption.

History: Lemons are thought to have originated in China or India about 2500 years ago. They were first brought to Spain by Arabs in the 11th century, around the time they were also introduced to Northern Africa, while the rest of Europe was exposed to the fruit by Crusaders returning from Palestine. Christopher Columbus brought them to the New World on his second voyage in 1493, and they have been grown in Florida since the 16th century. Additionally, they were highly prized by miners during the California Gold Rush for preventing scurvy (as with sailors) and were in such demand people would pay up to $1 per lemon, which would be expensive even today!

Properties: Lemons act as an antiscorbutic, antipyretic, and astringent, as well as a good alkalizer, acid neutralizer, and antiseptic. Fresh juice serves as a diuretic – helping to flush out toxins and bad bacteria (without wiping out all the good bacteria in the process, as fasting does). It is thought to prevent and treat many infections, hasten wound healing, and temper high fever. An excellent source of phytonutrients and antioxidants, lemons are rich in potassium, limonin, phosphorous, proteins, citric acid, vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, C, A & P, bioflavinoids, coumarins, and mucilage. The strong antisceptic properties have been well-researched, and the kill-rate of lemon oil was 99.96% against airborne bacterial pathogens, to include meningococcus, typhoid bacilli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pneumococcus, diphtheria, tuberculosis, and more. There is no known virus or bacterial agent that can live in the presence of lemon oil for any length of time.

Arthritis, Rheumatism & Gout: High uric acid in the body can lead to arthritis and rheumatism – lemon juice flushes out these toxins. Results reported in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases have shown that lemon can protect against inflammatory polyarthritis (involving two or more joints) and arthritis. For rheumatism, take one or two ounces of lemon juice diluted in water three times a day (one hour before meals and at bedtime).

Asthma & Respiratory Disorders: Lemon assists in dislodging phlegm and soothing coughs and bronchial inflammation – especially when taken with honey, or when gargled with. For asthma relief, take a tablespoon of lemon juice one hour before each meal. In cases of insufficient oxygen and difficulty breathing, mountaineers have relied on lemon for its alkalizing effect on the circulatory system, which increases the oxygen levels in blood. Sir Edmund Hillary even admitted his victory over Mt. Everest was greatly due to lemon. This is also why lemon is valuable in cancerprevention: cancer cells hate oxygen and can only grow in low oxygen environments.

Burns: If applied to areas of burns it can fade the scars, and – as a cooling agent – it reduces the burning sensation on the skin.

Corns: A slice of lemon bound over a corn overnight will greatly relieve the pain, and will dissolve hardened lumps of skin. This works internally too, and drinking lemon juice with water can facilitate the removal of stones.

Dental Care: Apply fresh lemon juice on areas of toothache to alleviate the pain, while massaging it on gums can stop gum bleeding. It gives relief from bad breath, inflammation of the tongue, canker sores, and other gum-related problems, such as gingivitis, and is an excellent cleanser for the mouth. Although undiluted lemon juice may be injurious to tooth enamel, when diluted, the vitamin C content helps considerable in calcium metabolism, which is useful in maintaining the health of the teeth and bones.

Digestion: Although lemon is often thought of as acidic, it is a highly effective cleansing agent and blood purifier, and aids in curing many digestive problems when mixed with hot water, including biliousness, nausea, heartburn (all you need is a teaspoon of lemon juice in half a glass of water), and disorders of the lower intestines, like constipation, worm infestations, or urinary tract infections. Lemon juice in hot water has been widely advocated as a daily laxative, and expels wind from the digestive tract. For stomach ulcers, take one to two tablespoons of aloe vera gel before the lemon water (gastric juices in the stomach are four times as strong as lemon juice. Start with weak lemon juice, and build up the concentration.)

Flu, Common Colds, Sore Throat & Other Disease: Lemon juice prevents or restrains the flu and colds by boosting the immune system, purifying the blood, and providing antioxidants that fight free radicals. It can prevent diabetes, scurvy, infections, viruses, and has even been known to cure hepatitis, malaria, cholera, diphtheria, typhoid, and other deadly diseases. The antibacterial properties will alleviate sore throats and coughing by gargling frequently with straight or diluted lemon juice. Drinking a mixture with honey, ginger, or cinnamon added will boost the immune system and push the anaerobic (unfriendly, oxygen-hating) bacteria out of your cells. Additionally, lemon also helps to break fevers, by increasing perspiration.

Hair Care: Applied to the scalp, it can treat problems like dandruff, hair fall, and more. It also adds a natural shine to hair when applied after rinsing shampoo.

Headaches: Lemon, when mixed with coffee, is thought to help treat malaria and has also been proven effective for headaches.

Hiccups: A trick I use is to take a lemon slice, coat it in bitters, and roll it in sugar. Eat the meat of the fruit (which is surprisingly palatable due to the sugar) and voila! No more hiccups.

High Blood Pressure & Heart Disease: Free radicals in the body can damage blood vessels and change cholesterol, making it more likely to build up in artery walls, but vitamin C helps prevent the development of atherosclerosis and diabetic heart disease. The potassium in lemons is helpful for people with heart problems, and controls high blood pressure, dizziness, and nausea by acting as a sedative for the nerves and heart, and allays troublesome palpitation.

Internal Bleeding, Hemorrhaging & Excessive Menstruation: Lemon has antiseptic and styptic properties, and the vitamin P strengthens blood vessels and can prevent and stop internal bleeding. Lemon juice taken in water that is as cold as possible will stop it, while placing cotton with lemon juice inside the nose will stop nose bleeds. The juice of three or four lemons a day (taken one lemon at a time) in cold water will check excessive menstruation.

Kidney & Gall Stones: Studies by the American Urological Association concluded that lemon juice can cure kidney stones by forming urinary citrate, which can prevent the formation of crystals. Drinking lemon juice with olive oil helps to flush out gall stones.

Liver: It is a natural strengthening agent to the liver enzymes when they are too diluted, and also helps to fix oxygen and calcium in the liver by regulating blood carbohydrate levels, which, in turn, affect the blood oxygen levels. It acts as a tonic to the liver by stimulating it to produce bile, making it ready to digest the days meal. Dilute lemon juice in hot water and drink a glass one hour before breakfast every morning.

Mosquito Repellent: Essential lemon oil on the skin acts much like a citronella candle, and can repel mosquitoes and some other insects.

Pregnancy: Lemon juice will help calcium metabolize, which helps to build bone in the child.

Skin Care: Being a natural antiseptic medicine, it can cure problems related to the skin, including stopping the pain of sunburn, insect bites, and bee stings, and can be used as an antibiotic on cuts and other areas of infection. Lemon juice can also be applied for acne and eczema problems (apply fresh juice and let it dry, then rinse with a mixture of water with a few drops of olive oil) and for warts (apply essential oil daily until gone). It is an anti-aging remedy that can remove wrinkles and blackheads, as well as a skin lightener that can remove freckles and other discolored areas. Drinking lemon juice mixed with water and honey can bring a glow to the skin.

Weight loss: Lemon facilitates weight loss due to its purifying properties. It stops the putrification of matter trapped in your stomach and intestines and flushes it out, along with other toxins that prevent your organs from operating effectively. By allowing your organs to perform their normal functions efficiently, other weight loss measures – such as eating a well-balanced, organic diet and exercise – will have more noticeable effects. I don’t recommend the “Master Cleanse” diet (lemon, cayenne pepper, and maple syrup) because (apart from the inevitable hallucinations) all of the good, aerobic bacteria that are necessary for the intestinal bacteria’s flora to digest properly is flushed out along with the bad, anaerobic bacteria. Incorporating lemon into your daily routine is a safer way to detoxify your body with no known side-effects or allergens.

Please consult a licensed caregiver and use common sense before doing anything drastic that may adversely affect your health.

**Heustad’s article points out that all foods are considered cationic with the exception of fresh, raw lemon juice, and that some have suggested the reason it is so similar to digestive enzymes is due to the low amount of sulfur in lemons. It should be noted that pasteurized and packaged lemon juice is cationic (and often contains preservatives) and, therefore, ineffective as a health remedy.